Newcastle seem to have taken their foot off the gas since their Premier League survival was confirmed. Having won four in a row for the first time this season to blast well clear of the drop zone, Rafa Benitez's men now head into this game seeking to avoid losing five in a row for the first time this season.

Avoiding that unwanted record will prove no easy task against an in-form Chelsea side, although a draw last week against Huddersfield may just have taken the edge off Antonio Conté'e men. Even a win here will only be any good to them if Liverpool should lose to Brighton at Anfield. Their Champions League dreams are hanging by a thread.

Christian Atsu and Ciaran Clark are out injured for Newcastle, whilst on loan Islam Slimani is suspended. The key absentee for the Magpies though is Kenedy who is ineligible to play against his parent club. Ethan Ampadu and David Luiz are out for Chelsea.

The Blues do have the FA Cup Final still to come, but will likely go with a close to full strength side whilst the Champions League is still a possibility, however remote.

Chelsea have held the edge over Newcastle this season, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the league and 3-0 in the FA Cup. Provided the influential Eden Hazard starts, they should have enough to come out on top.

Just the one yellow card at St James' Park with referee Martin Atkinson taking the name of Chelsea's Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Chelsea did still have an outside chance of Champions League qualification headed into this game, although you wouldn't have known it judging by this performance. Newcastle were good, with Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame particularly impressive in midfield, but Chelsea were simply awful, particularly in the first half.

The home side took the lead in the 23rd minute. Matt Ritchie's cross into the box finding Jacob Murphy who dinked the ball over Thibaut Courtois. The Chelsea stopper got back to palm the ball off the line, but only as far as the waiting Dwight Gayle who nodded home.

Chelsea did at least look to possess some attacking intent in the second half, but their hopes of getting back into this were effectively ended in the 59th minute. Jonjo Shelvey's shot from range being diverted into the bottom corner by Ayoze Perez.

Perez grabbed his second in the 63rd minute. Shelvey's free kick from deep finding Florian Lejeune at the far post. Lejuene directing the ball back across goal for Perez to bundle in from close range.

3-0 final score.

In the end it wouldn't have mattered had Chelsea won this game as Liverpool got the job done against Brighton to ensure it was they who took the final Champions League position. It's the Europa League for Chelsea who finish fifth.

Newcastle finish tenth which must be judged a fine achievement on their first season back in the Premier League, particularly given the minimal investment in the club. The Toon Army are no doubt already saying their prayers that Rafa Benitez decides to stay on at the club.